Scroll stripping method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method are provided for unwinding and guiding scrolls of microfilm from film cartridges while concurrently severing and separating the leader tape from the body of the unwound scroll.

Umted States Patent [151 3,640,480

Schleich Feb. 8, 1972 [54] SCROLL STRIPPING METHOD AND [56] ReferencesCited APPARATUS UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Invent: 3,160,047 l2/l964Malloy et a]. ..s3/20s [73] Assignee: The Matix Corporation PrimaryExaminer-Leonard D. Christian [22] Flledz Mar. 9, 1970 A'mmey Han.y REichin 211 App]. No.2 17,733 [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus and method areprovided for unwinding and [52] US. Cl. ..242/56, 83/208 g g Scrollsofmicrofilm from mm cartridges while concur [SI] 1111. Cl ..B6Sh 19/20.renfly severing and Separating the cadet mp6 from the body I [58] Fieldof Search ..242lig7gg5, of the unwound sewn 14 Claims, 5 Drawing FiguresL 11 G 3- I 8 PATENTED FEB 8 I972 SHEET 1 BF 2 PMENTEI] FEB 8 I972 sum 20F 2 3 6 SOLENOID GEARMO TOR jmceniar 4 IYQQQ SCROLL STRIPPIING METHODAND APPARATUS The present invention relates to a method and apparatusfor stripping and unwinding an indeterminate length of material such asfilm, sheets, threads and the like from a spool or other core bodiessuch as reels, bobbins and the like. More particularly, it relates to anapparatus for cutting the leader strip from a scroll and stripping andunwinding a scroll of film wound on a reel. In one embodiment theinvention relates to a method and apparatus for stripping and unwindinga microfilm scroll from a reel which is encased and held captive in afilm cartridge.

Microfilm is rapidly increasing in use for record keeping such asinventory control, computer printout records and the like. Forconvenience of storage and use, a scroll of film is wound on a reel orspool and is rotatably mounted and held captive in a cartridge. Thecartridge or magazine maintains the film relatively dust-free duringstorage, is easily filed for reference, and can be readily positioned ina microfilm reader for reading the matter on the film or for printingout copies.

In general, one end of a strip of sturdy plastic film, such as 3-milthick polyethylene terephthalate film is secured to the core of acaptive reel or spool, with the other end of the strip extending througha port or opening in the cartridge to allow splicing of the microfilmscroll to the cartridge film strip end. The reel or core is then rotatedto take up the scroll of film through the port into the cartridge. Thelast end of the film to be reeled is butt spliced with an adhesive-typetape to a leader strip of plastic such as polyethylene terephthalatefilm mils in thickness. This leader" tape strip protrudes from a port inthe cartridge when the scroll is fully wound on the core to provide areadily available tab for guiding and advancing the film when it is tobe lead through a microfilm reader.

Many of the microfilm scrolls have limited retention time utility,especially when used for inventory control, one-time readout or computerprintout. The cartridge holders are costly, and economics dictate thatthey be reused as many times as possible. Also, the leader strip and thecartridge strip are somewhat expensive, and recovery and reuse of theseitems is also desirable.

Presently, the method in common use is to align a number of thecartridges containing film scrolls in a holder for the cartridges, allof the cartridges being arranged with their film ports juxtaposed. Eachleader strip in turn is cut from its respective microfilm scroll byhand, and is placed in a con tainer for reuse. The multiple strands ofmicrofilm now projecting from the ports of the aligned cartridges arealternately gripped by the operators two hands and pulled out foot byfoot from the cartridges. If one scroll is shorter than the remainingones, and runs out, the operator must realign his hands to grip and pullthose scrolls still containing film. The scrolls are entirely unwound,down to the cartridge strip, leaving the cartridge strip captive on thereel ready for use with another scroll to be subsequently wound withinthe cartridge. The process is very tedious and time consuming.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatusand method for unwinding scrolls from film cartridges.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus andmethod for severing and separating the leader strip from the film andconcurrently unwinding and guiding the scroll to a waste receptacle.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent and obviousfrom the following description and drawing of an illustrativeembodiment, and various advantages not referred to herein wili occur tothose skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

One embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing,forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus of the inventionwith the cover in position; and the lid shown closed; and in phantom,shown open;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view partly in section of one embodimentof the apparatus with a portion of the cover in section through a planeadjacent the line of film travel to show the relative position of theparts;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a portion of the apparatus showingthe capstan roller, the idler or guide roller and cutting mechanismparts in nonoperating position and a portion of the film magazine andholder;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of a portion of the apparatus showingthe capstan roll, the idler roll and cutting mechanism parts innonoperating position and;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the electrical system of the apparatus.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an apparatus of this invention comprising a baseplateof platen 2, and a cover body shown generally as 4. The base 2 of theapparatus is mounted on a support frame 5, or can be placed on atabletop to position it above a waste receptacle 6. A waste passage oraperture 42 in the baseplate 2 provides a passage for egress of themicrofilm 12 from the apparatus to a waste receptacle 6.

A capstan or drive roll frame 17 is secured to baseplate 2. Mounted oncapstan roll frame 17 is gearmotor 16 having an output drive shaft ontowhich is secured horizontally mounted capstan roll 18. Typically for thesize 16 mm. and 35 mm. microfilm employed, the capstan roll 18 is l l/l6inches in width, is 4% inches in diameter, and is operated at about1,750 rpm.

Refer now also to FIGS. 3 and 4. A cutter and idler roller mechanism ismounted on cutter pedestal 20 secured to base 2 and is arranged tocooperate with capstan roll 18. Secured to the guide surface or thehorizontal top surface of pedestal 20 is a bed knife cutter blade 28. Anidler roller 24 is rotatably mounted on shaft 26 secured to the bracketend of idler roller frame 22. Idler roller frame 22 is pivotally mountedon pedestal 20, and is trunnioned on pin 32. A moveable cutter blade 30is secured to one edge of roller frame 22 to cooperate with fixed blade28. The other end of frame 22 has an extended arm 29 linked to thearmature of a push-type solenoid 36. An extension spring 38 is securedto base plate 2 and to the outboard end of arm 29, and is adjustablybiased to raise roller 24 from the surface of capstan roll 18 whensolenoid 36 is deenergized and is inoperative.

In operation, the cutting edges of fixed blade 28 and moveable blade 30are urged together into a shearing contact by compression spring 34. Asshown in FIG. 2 additionally, a shear cut in the film 14 positionedbetween cutter blades 28 and 30 is provided when solenoid 36 isenergized and frame 22 pivots about pin 32, also moving idler roller 24into mating contact with capstan roll 18. Idler roller 24 is preferablyabout I 1} l6 inches in width and 1 inch in diameter. Frame 22 isarranged to have roller 24 and capstan 18 in tangential engagement whensolenoid 36 is energized. The locus of tangential engagement or nipbetween roll 18 and roller 24 is arranged to be horizontally below thebed knife 28 for reasons later described.

As shown in FIGS. I and 2, a cover body 4 is secured to base 2 and inturn provides for mounting cartridge holder 10. A film cartridge ormagazine 8 is slidably mounted in holder 10 which in turn is secured tocover body 4. A lid portion 7, which can be integral with the cover body4, or can be hinged and secured to cover body 4, has a film slot 44provided therein so that prior to startup the film leader strip 14 andattached film 12 can be guided edgewise into alignment with the cuttingand stripping mechanism.

A main switch 46 (See FIG. 5) is internally mounted on cover body 4 tocontrol the electrical power supply to the apparatus. This switch is ina circuit with an auxiliary control switch 50 which provides for afail-safe or safety disconnect if either the lid portion 7 is opened, orthe cover body 4 is removed from the base 2. Also, secured to body 4 isa startstop electrical switch 48 mounted adjacent the leader strip 14position, for convenience in starting and stopping of the apparatus. Itis to be understood that the cover 7 and cover body 4 are providedprimarily for safety. The film guide or slot 44 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2is provided by cooperation of the lid portion 7 and cover body 4, topermit initial positioning of the film on the capstan roll 18 andbetween the cutter blades 28 and 30. It will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that other means for initial edge guiding of the filmthrough the unwinding and cutting mechanism can be adapted to theapparatus. The leader film strip 14 is shown in phantom in FIG. 2 inposition after it has been drawn from the cartridge 8 and led or slidthrough slot 44 prior to the start of the severing and unwindingoperation. When so positioned, the start switch can then be manuallyactivated to operate the apparatus.

When the apparatus is activated, the leader strip 14 is immediatelysevered from the film 12 by operation of cutter mechanism, and ismanually withdrawn from guide slot 44 to be separately handled and usedlater on another scroll. Immediately after being severed from the leaderstrip 14, the cut lead end of film 12 is concurrently urged into the nipof the unwinding or stripping mechanism by engagement of roller 24 andcapstan roll I8 whereby it is unwound from cartridge 8, as hereinafterdescribed, and the waste film 12A is led to the waste passage 42 andthence to waste receptacle 6.

In FIG. 2 film cartridge 8 is shown in position with the holder 10removed, and the film 12 as it is being stripped from the cartridge 8 bythe nip between capstan roller 18 and idler roller 24; and is therebydeflected downwardly by the nips oblique position and by the concavesurface of waste deflector 40. Shown in phantom in FIG. 2 is the leaderstrip 14 and film 12 in the initial position before cutting andstripping from the cartridge is begun. As shown in FIG. 3, the moveablecutting blade 30 in the initial position is raised above the plane ofthe film 12, which is supported on pedestal bed knife 28 above the nippoint of capstan roll 18 and idler roller 24. As shown, prior to thestartup, the film leader strip 14 is advanced beyond the cutting edge ofbed knife 28.

When the start-stop switch is closed, the capstan roll 18 begins torotate, and the idler roller 24 and cutter frame 22 are pivotally moveddownward by solenoid 36 whereby the shearing action between bed knife 28and moveable cutting blade 30 severs the leader 14 from the disposablefilm l2. Simultaneously, in its downward movement, idler roller 24engages film I2 and urges it toward the rotating surface of capstan roll18 to the nip point contact between the two rolls. The film 12 havingbeen severed continues to be urged by the idler roller 24 to the pointof nip contact with the capstan roll 18, and is thereby advanced throughthe nip by the pressing engagement between the idler roller 24 and thecapstan roll 18. Preferably the nip of the rollers is oblique to thehorizontal or offset in advance of the vertical axis of the capstan roll18 to cause the path of the film scroll to be deflected below the planeof the bed knife and cause the film l2 movement to be outwardly anddownwardly directed to concave guide or deflector plate 40 and thence toan aperture or waste passage 42 in base 2 and thus to receptacle 6.During the stripping and unwinding of the scroll, the path of travelcontinues as shown in FIG. 2.

At times, because of the property of microfilm to curl in the directionin which it was wound on the reel in the cartridge 8, there is tendencyfor the cut film 12 at startup, to curl and be fed to cling and windaround the capstan roll I8. To minimize this, a film stripper-deflector41 is arcuately shaped in the opposite direction to deflector plate 40and to the film curl and travel, and is positioned on base 2 proximatethe surface of the capstan roll 18 and below its horizontal axis toprevent the film from wrapping about the capstan roll 18. Once thestripping action has become effective, the movement and stiffness of thefilm continues to guide its path outwardly and downwardly through thepaste passage 42 to the waste receptacle 6. It is apparent that themoveable cutter blade and the idler roller can also be arranged asseparate mechanisms to move independently of each other, and that themoveable cutter blade can be operated upwardly and downwardly in avertical plane instead of pivotally to obtain the same results. The nippressure between the rolls 18, 24 is maintained at a level sufficient tostrip the film 12 from the cartridge 8, but insufficient to pull thetrailing end, secured in the cartridge and separate it from thecartridge reel.

When the scroll is fully stripped from the cartridge, except for thetrailing tape end which is secured to the core of the cartridge, theforward movement of the film will stop. At that time the power to theapparatus can be turned off and the trailing end cut from the disposablescroll portion. In an alternate embodiment a limit switch 52(schematically shown in FIG. 5 but now at the other FIGS.) is positionedon cover body 4 below the cartridge 8 in the cartridge holder 10. Thelimit switch is electrically connected in series with the run circuit.The weight of the filled cartridge 8 on the blade of-the switch, holdsthe switch in the on" position. When the scroll is fully stripped, thepulling force on the trailing end of the film snubbed about the core,causes the cartridge 8 to tilt, since the cartridge is placed in holder10 in a manner that the film I2 is pulled from the port in an uppercomer. Thus the cartridge tilt removes the weight on the blade of thelimit switch, opens the circuit and turns off the electrical power.

The wiring diagram and electrical connections can be readily understoodfrom FIG. 5 and the apparatus can be readily powered and wired by meansknown to those skilled in the art.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to beunderstood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of unwinding a scroll of film from a core, said film havinga leader tape connected thereto, and having a trailing tap connectedthereto and to said core, which method comprises:

a. rotatably securing said core;

b. advancing at least said leader tape from said core, across thesurface of an unwind capstan, to and through the path of a severingmeans;

c. severing the film from said leader tape by said severing means;

d. rotating said unwind capstan;

e. urging said film away from said severed leader tape and into anunwinding engagement with said rotating capstan;

f. unwinding said film from said core; and,

g. arresting said unwinding by said core connected trailing tape.

2. The method in claim I wherein the steps of severing and urging saidfilm are done concurrently by said severing means.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) is further characterized inthat said leader tape is guided across and spaced above the surface ofsaid unwind capstan.

4. A method of unwinding a scroll of microfilm from a film cartridgesaid microfilm having connected thereto a leader tape and a trailingtape secured to said cartridge which method comprises:

a. securing said film cartridge in a holder;

b. advancing said leader tape from said film cartridge across an unwindcapstan, to and through an open cutter;

c. severing said leader tape from said microfilm;

d. rotating said unwind capstan and urging said severed microfilm intoan unwinding engagement with said rotating capstan;

e. unwinding said microfilm from said cartridge;

f. arresting said unwinding when said trailing tape secured to saidcartridge snubs said microfilm; and,

g. disengaging said microfilm from said capstan.

5. An apparatus for unwinding an indeterminate length of film from aspool, comprising in combination:

a. a frame;

b. a capstan roll secured to said frame;

0. means to drive said capstan roll;

d. a pedestal secured to said frame, positioned adjacent to and spacedfrom said capstan roll, and having a guide surface thereon;

e. severing means positioned intermediate the guide surface of thepedestal and the capstan roll;

f. means to move said severing means between a dwell position and atleast to a plane with the guide surface;

g. an idler roll positioned intermediate the severing means and thecapstan roll; and,

h. means to move said idler roll to tangential contact with the capstanroll disposed from the central plane of the capstan roll, and to aposition removed therefrom whereby there is provided a path foradvancing film from a position above the surface of the capstan roll tothe guide surface of the pedestal.

6. The apparatus in claim 5 wherein a cover is provided for said capstanroll, said severing means, said pedestal, and said idler roller, saidcover having a slot therein to guide the film to a position above thesurface of the capstan, through and to the guide surface of thepedestal.

7. The apparatus in claim 5 wherein said severing means are cutterblades.

8. The apparatus in claim 5 wherein the idler roll is positioned in aframe and wherein the severing means are cutter blades comprised ofcooperating blades positioned on the edge of the pedestal guide surfaceand on the edge of the idler roll frame.

9. The apparatus in claim 5 wherein in the nonoperative position thereis a straight line uninterrupted path from the top surface of thecapstan roll to the guide surface on the pedestal.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein means to move the severing means,and means to move the idler roll operate concurrently.

11. In an apparatus for unwinding a scroll of microfilm from a filmcartridge said microfilm having connected thereto a leader tape and atrailing end secured to said cartridge:

a. a platen having mounted thereon a cutter pedestal, an unwind capstan,and a cover body;

b. a shear cutter mounted on said cutter pedestal;

c. means for securing said film cartridge to said cover body;

(1. means for positioning said leader tape from said cartridge to andthrough said shear cutter in open position, with said tape being spacedfrom and aligned with said unwind capstan;

e. means to open and close said shear cutter;

f. idler roller means adapted to urge said microfilm against said unwindcapstan concurrently with the operation of closing said shear cutter,whereby said leader tape is severed from said microfilm;

g. means to operate said unwind capstan concurrently with said means toclose said shear cutter, whereby said capstan and idler roller meanswithdraw the microfilm from said cartridge, after said leader tape issevered;

. means to guide said microfilm to a waste receptacle; and,

. means to halt said capstan and to open said cutter and idler rollermeans when said microfilm is snubbed by the trailing end of the filmsecured to the film cartridge.

12. The apparatus in claim 11 wherein the means for guiding andpositioning the leader tape through the open shear cutter is an openslot in said cover.

13. The apparatus in claim 11 wherein the idler roller means ispositioned between the cutter pedestal and the capstan roll and aconcave guide is provided at the base of the pedestal to guide saidmicrofilm through an aperture provided in said platen.

14. The apparatus in claim 13 wherein the idler roller means isrotatably mounted in a frame and a blade is secured to said frame tocooperate with a blade secured to said cutter pedestal to sever saidleader tape.

1. A method of unwinding a scroll of film from a core, said film havinga leader tape connected thereto, and having a trailing tap connectedthereto and to said core, which method comprises: a. rotatably securingsaid core; b. advancing at least said leader tape from said core, acrossthe surface of an unwind capstan, to and through the path of a severingmeans; c. severing the film from said leader tape by said severingmeans; d. rotating said unwind capstan; e. urging said film away fromsaid severed leader tape and into an unwinding engagement with saidrotating capstan; f. unwinding said film from said core; and, g.arresting said unwinding by said core connected trailing tape.
 2. Themethod in claim 1 wherein thE steps of severing and urging said film aredone concurrently by said severing means.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein step (b) is further characterized in that said leader tape isguided across and spaced above the surface of said unwind capstan.
 4. Amethod of unwinding a scroll of microfilm from a film cartridge saidmicrofilm having connected thereto a leader tape and a trailing tapesecured to said cartridge which method comprises: a. securing said filmcartridge in a holder; b. advancing said leader tape from said filmcartridge across an unwind capstan, to and through an open cutter; c.severing said leader tape from said microfilm; d. rotating said unwindcapstan and urging said severed microfilm into an unwinding engagementwith said rotating capstan; e. unwinding said microfilm from saidcartridge; f. arresting said unwinding when said trailing tape securedto said cartridge snubs said microfilm; and, g. disengaging saidmicrofilm from said capstan.
 5. An apparatus for unwinding anindeterminate length of film from a spool, comprising in combination: a.a frame; b. a capstan roll secured to said frame; c. means to drive saidcapstan roll; d. a pedestal secured to said frame, positioned adjacentto and spaced from said capstan roll, and having a guide surfacethereon; e. severing means positioned intermediate the guide surface ofthe pedestal and the capstan roll; f. means to move said severing meansbetween a dwell position and at least to a plane with the guide surface;g. an idler roll positioned intermediate the severing means and thecapstan roll; and, h. means to move said idler roll to tangentialcontact with the capstan roll disposed from the central plane of thecapstan roll, and to a position removed therefrom whereby there isprovided a path for advancing film from a position above the surface ofthe capstan roll to the guide surface of the pedestal.
 6. The apparatusin claim 5 wherein a cover is provided for said capstan roll, saidsevering means, said pedestal, and said idler roller, said cover havinga slot therein to guide the film to a position above the surface of thecapstan, through and to the guide surface of the pedestal.
 7. Theapparatus in claim 5 wherein said severing means are cutter blades. 8.The apparatus in claim 5 wherein the idler roll is positioned in a frameand wherein the severing means are cutter blades comprised ofcooperating blades positioned on the edge of the pedestal guide surfaceand on the edge of the idler roll frame.
 9. The apparatus in claim 5wherein in the nonoperative position there is a straight lineuninterrupted path from the top surface of the capstan roll to the guidesurface on the pedestal.
 10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein means tomove the severing means, and means to move the idler roll operateconcurrently.
 11. In an apparatus for unwinding a scroll of microfilmfrom a film cartridge said microfilm having connected thereto a leadertape and a trailing end secured to said cartridge: a. a platen havingmounted thereon a cutter pedestal, an unwind capstan, and a cover body;b. a shear cutter mounted on said cutter pedestal; c. means for securingsaid film cartridge to said cover body; d. means for positioning saidleader tape from said cartridge to and through said shear cutter in openposition, with said tape being spaced from and aligned with said unwindcapstan; e. means to open and close said shear cutter; f. idler rollermeans adapted to urge said microfilm against said unwind capstanconcurrently with the operation of closing said shear cutter, wherebysaid leader tape is severed from said microfilm; g. means to operatesaid unwind capstan concurrently with said means to close said shearcutter, whereby said capstan and idler roller means withdraw themicrofilm from said cartridge, after said leader tape is severed; h.means to guide saiD microfilm to a waste receptacle; and, i. means tohalt said capstan and to open said cutter and idler roller means whensaid microfilm is snubbed by the trailing end of the film secured to thefilm cartridge.
 12. The apparatus in claim 11 wherein the means forguiding and positioning the leader tape through the open shear cutter isan open slot in said cover.
 13. The apparatus in claim 11 wherein theidler roller means is positioned between the cutter pedestal and thecapstan roll and a concave guide is provided at the base of the pedestalto guide said microfilm through an aperture provided in said platen. 14.The apparatus in claim 13 wherein the idler roller means is rotatablymounted in a frame and a blade is secured to said frame to cooperatewith a blade secured to said cutter pedestal to sever said leader tape.